She is beautiful. My brother built an eight footer and I remember how at times he just grew tired of building. It took him four years. You have done a superb job on her.

Hello all!
I just couldn't resist and laser-cut the bell holder. Let's see what you think! 🙈🙈🙈
Pure fantasy . . . . . .
See you again soon!
Michel-C

Bon voyage Michel👍
A bientot😉
Doug😎

At last!
Our 3D club specialist has conjured up 2 sample bells for me!
Now I just have to create the bell block . . . .
But first we're off, we're on the road!
See you again soon . . .
Michel-C.

Great result Mike, great company.

Yes in these models the steering with the rudder can be difficult but it is still a great success.

Now it goes on with
- Rebuild rudder
- Bell frame with bell missing
- and the most important : the noises!!!
Let us surprise you, but now our shipyard is taking a short vacation . .
bb Michel-C.

Hello everyone!
The baptism took place Sunday, my Dolores was baptized and passed several tests beforehand. now she is ready for the water! Yeah!
My wife is my assistant, four hands are better! See for yourself.
But don't think everything is ok ... According to the plans, the rudder is much too small in my opinion.
I still have to think about it, but otherwise the additional side pumps help me when turning.
Now I realize that these steamers were difficult to steer, considering that around 570 boats sank in collisions, over 160 burned, even worse over 200 exploded!!!
If I had known this, I would not have taken up this offer from back then. everyone has a bird in their own way, I just have two of them!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Your Michel-C.

It's a display model. That it also sails is a plus. Great Mike.

Well done Mike (bravissimo Mike), excellent work.
Great attention to detail.

. . . And here is the landing stage . .
Bb M-C.

Hello Friends,
The second last detail goes into the final phase. See for yourself . . .
😛😛😛
Greetings Michel-C.

Hello everyone!
I've really come a long way, just a few more details that I can do in this weather.
It's raining at impossible times here too!
Our kiosk operator is waiting impatiently for the first guests. 🥰🥰🥰
😉
Wait for better weather, then you can watch on the video my wife is shooting . .
Tonight the electronics test, then it's time to get serious!
I'm already as excited as a boy on his first day at school!
Cool greetings
Michel-C.

@ Alessandro
Let us surprise you soon regarding lifeboats

Hi Mike, the cranes are a problem for me too. I just have some reference photos for the side lifeboat cranes. For the central lifeboats, most likely, the mast gaffs were used to lift them and then lower them into the water.
You don't have masts so there must have been cranes, special ones; at least I think so. If I find some useful photos I'll post them.
However I'm sure some paddle wheel ship model builder like you will get there before me.

Hi Alessandro,
Yes exactly these supports! I was looking for pictures but couldn't find anything specific . . .
I'm busy gluing, straightening and trying to improve the old mistakes of the deceased
predecessor as best I can . .
Greetings Michel-C.

Hi Mike, by supports do you mean cranes?

Good morning everyone,
Some progress again, but also a step back.
Adjustments of all kinds are necessary, but I'm getting there.
One question for you:
>>> does anyone have any ideas on how I should design the lifeboat mounts? 🤔
Unfortunately, I've become a bit tired of ideas, which is understandable.
Recently I was about to interrupt the construction work. My wife is my motivation and paints parts behind my back. . . . You can't bury your head in the sand!
By the way, a kettle like this is really helpful for bending the railing, but not when my wife wants a cup of tea! 🤣🤣🤣
See you again soon . . 👍👍👍
Michel-C.

Hello Herman, Alessandro und Dave B,
To be honest, I'm a little proud of it, but I couldn't finish everything the way I wanted to.
The mass of the “base body” had so many deviations that I would never have dreamed of.
But we model makers are little magicians and can cover up small mistakes.
When the boat is on the water, you can no longer see such “small adjustments” . . .
And that's because of the bath tub . . .
. . . dear Alessandro, I would have real problems with this length!
That's why the first trip is always with a cord, then later without.
I say that from experience! (as with the sailing ship “Reine des Vents”)
The weather is supposed to get better next week, I hope!
So, enough time wasted writing, back to work! Zack zack!

See you later my friends of boat building
Michel-C.

PS: Herman, I have no problems and stupid thoughts. As a model maker, you never have time for that because your work helps you! But thanks for your offer!🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
My opinion : There are people who have problems, and there are people who ARE the problem!🤣

What a stunning restoration!
You have transformed that into a piece of art.
You have awesome modeling skills, I am humbled. (honestly, I don't have the patience to do that)
Dave B

Hi Mike, have you tried it in the bathtub yet? It's always better to try it there before going to the pond.

Michel C bonjour, guten Tag😂
My practice is always open for swiss people with mental problems. Sobif you are in trouble just makexan appointment with my secretary her office hours are saterday 9-12
And sunday from 16-17
See you 😂

Hello everyone!
Things are looking up!
Now I'm ready for a test drive without the top, except for the special sound electronics.
The next few days are rainy days and next week the weather should improve.
Then I'll ask my wife to film the first ‘water contact’.
As I said, I'll either have a ship or a submarine! 🤣🤣🤣 (Swiss Humor)
Compiling the details in order to determine the next work steps.
Mind maps created. The more I wrote down, the more depressed I became. But my motto:
The ship will be christened at the end of April. So I'm going to put the details to one side and only finalise the most important things.
The chimney pipes are my start, the rest is on the chair next door . .
See you sometime later, a crazy tinkering landlubber,
yours Michel-C.

Hello Doug and Herman,
Thank you for the get well wishes! Things are slowly getting better and the rear wheel steamer is continuing step by step.
A bit of gluing here, a bit of straightening here. . . In between a cough, a break, drinking tea with honey as Hermann wrote.
I'm also making progress with the electronics, but only at a snail's pace.
The household is calling us both . . . And stretching my legs in the fresh air is part of it anyway!
Have a good night, I'm going to sip another honey tea. Cheers!
Your Michel-C.

Hi Herman
Re "Being so much in bed don’t expand the family."
Bist du sicher?😉
AH! Ich verstehe -
The family is only expanded when you are on a lifeboat😁😂🤣

😎

GWS Mike👍🤕
Gute Besserung🤞

😎

Mike and Dolores (la belle- the beauty. Queen)
Drink lots of hot tea with lots of honey( not Dolores la belle) but the stuff from the bees.
Being so much in bed don’t expand the family. An advice from a belgian friend( i think)
Get better asap
Herman the lifeboatlover

Hello everyone,
Our shipyard is currently closed due to illness. With our flu and coughing, normal tinkering is not possible at the moment. But I can't resist making little comments on this homepage. But now I have time to make a mess. And humour is sometimes the best medicine for getting better.
The worst nights are over and we're still wondering where these cursed viruses attacked us. .
Despite all the precautions, hand washing, etc., it can affect anyone.
Stay healthy, your
Michel-C. with my ❤️ Dolores (My wife, not the stern wheel steamer)

"It's not long until the launch . . I either have a submarine or a ship . .🤣🤣"
🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞 for you Michel.
Would be a great shame to lose all that superb work😭
Cheers, Doug😎

Hi,
I was a little surprised that one of the options is for your model to turn into a submarine.
Well...it's been almost 50 years since I got the plans for the sternwheeler Chaperon from a friend in the US. I remembered...and planned to build that model.
American river sternwheelers generally had a low hull and shallow draft.
Given the construction materials I had available, I was worried that the model would be too heavy.
Therefore, I started calculating how much displacement the model would have - and it scared me quite a bit. It turned out to be very low for a model length of around 120cm.
To ensure sufficient draft (+ sufficient reserve), the draft of the model would have to be increased at least 2x - regardless of the similarity to the original.
I don't know what draft you're counting on for your model, and I don't know if you've already tried putting your model in the water (maybe first the hull itself without the superstructure).
Try to at least virtually recalculate the displacement and then compare it with the weight of the superstructure and all the equipment.
I solved this problem with some of my models (e.g., Ned Kelly) by adding (gluing and laminating) a polystyrene foam board of suitable thickness to the bottom of the model so that the displacement of the model increased.
It's barbaric, but the model floats and you won't know it on the water anyway.
I hope you have a nice model, not a submarine!!
I didn't build that model in the end for various reasons.. I like it.

So my dear hobbyists . .
Now my Dolores (the model ship, not my wife) has ended up in the electronics department.
Tonight is soldering, extending cables, plugging everything into the receiver. . .
Who am I telling, you know this from your work!
The whole background noise is also being finalised.
But with the great sunny weather you have to stretch your legs . . . We have enough time in the evening . .
It's not long until the launch . . I either have a submarine or a ship . .🤣🤣
We'll see about that! Either way, my wife will be filming this!
Your Michel-C.

Good evening everyone,
Another few steps forward before the electronics are finalised . .
Wanted to glue instead of solder again . . And thought of a few improvements that can still be changed without any effort.
Tomorrow our boatyard is closed because a) we're celebrating the Carnival saturday and b) it's my wife's birthday.
So we won't be back until Monday . . Without these two inspectors . . . The constant grumbling was getting on my nerves!
I moved the two guys to the highest point in the room! That's it! 🤬
Yours Michel-C.

Hey Tomarak! Hey Chuck and co!!
That's a great thing! I really like it! And thanks for the second contribution!
Nevertheless, I promised my children that I would finish the basement corpses first before I get my hands on something new! You're all a bit crazy here, of course I mean it in a lovely way and pointing out the great models.
Greetings to all hobbyists here from Switzerland, which is freezing cold again
Your Michel-C.

Love the Aussie paddlers - they are quite the eccentric lot compared to those I'm familiar with from the States.

Would enjoy seeing a separate thread devoted to the Murray River boats. Have considered developing a kit but now sure how well received they'd be.

I've been a member on Paddleducks for years but hadn't seen much traffic recently.

I may have already written about it here, but now the Australian site for modelers building paddle steamers should be available again.
www.paddleducks.co.uk
You will find a number of interesting articles, plans and instructions there
When I built my paddle steamer I chose the "Australian" type... simple construction, good access to the steam engine - the engine room is usually open, similar to the paddle steamers on the
Mississippi.
When I was inserting text into the post, it disappeared after I inserted the images. So I'm repeating myself here.

https://www.murrayriverpaddlesteamers.com.au

Highly professional, well done Mike.

Very neat Michel👍
'Ship shape and Bristol fashion'😉
Gute Arbeit

😎

Hey all,
Drive motor covered and ‘noise-insulated’, with internal ventilation.
Decorations are glued and additionally fastened with mini-nails.
And on we go . .
See you later with more information . . .
Your Michel-C.

Ps: Grazie Alessandro! Thanks Chuck . .

Fantastic Mike!

Great work!

Hi Michel,

Looks very nice!

I've been working with Sense Hobby to have them add marine diesel that would be appropriate for a towboat like Juanita as well paddlewheel smashing sounds into their catalog. I just spoke with one of their principals yesterday so guess sounds should be available next month.

Here's their website & you'll find a number of dealers in the EU.

http://www.sensehobby.com

In addition to the sound module tied in with the ESC, I am going to add another channel for calliope music that will play from a separate mp3 player & speakers. Might be a tight fit inside Juanita but am certain you will not have any problems with space to do whatever you want with sound or smoke.

Chuck

http://www.sensehobby.com

Hello everyone!
One step at a time, things are moving forward.
Now it's finally time for the electronics, but first the noise cover for the somewhat noisy drive. That's fine, after all, the real yachts have their engines sealed off and soundproofed too!
I will grease the gearbox again and also the transmission . . .
Let's take a look further.
Bb Michel-C.

Ps: the whole drive unit incl. rear wheel can be replaced without any problems. This was my goal and I succeeded.

Hello everyone,
Once again something new about the partial success.
Here are a few pictures of the installation of the drive. I can replace it with a few screws if necessary.
See for yourself how it can be done with a little brainpower.
To be honest, I have to admit that a woman's thinking is not quite like mine.
But together we come up with the greatest ideas. >> Teamwork ever!!!
Craft department Michel and Doris

PS:Men's brains and women's brains are very different. We have boxes and women have a tangled knot of wires. . .
Haven't I already shown you this little movie? 🙄

Hey Chuck,
It doesn't belong here, but your words have been in my head for a long time.
I got this hull 3 years ago and only work in winter as we are always on the road except during the school holidays. That's why my/our work is progressing so slowly.
But this spring I want to complete the maiden voyage with christening on our club opening voyage.
After that, the finishing touches will be applied. .
My goal, if it doesn't work out, is next year.
As you say, life is far too short.
Your Michel-C.

Michel,

I'm 1/4 Swiss if you count my ancestry of a hodgepodge of English, Dutch, Swiss & Welsh (the latter is never considered English) but have never heard of "gruffty". My youngest will love calling me this instead of baba. 😂

Love your discourse on what is valuable when it relates to the meaning of a true life. We all need to do a better job at following this important creed. Life is too short.

Chuck

So dear friends . .
A bit of tinkering, but good prerequisites for it to work.
I'll put it together tomorrow after my painter (❤️) has finished her work.
If it works, I'll be a bit closer to the end. . .
Keep your fingers crossed!
I cut the drive rod 4 mm at the back, took a rectangular profile and fixed it that way
with screws to set the correct axis/axis distance.
6mm to adjust, I think that's enough 🤣🤣
Bb Michel-C.

Ps: The screw is still being shortened . .
. .and what I have realised is, that I am missing a small milling machine. I could have produced the parts more accurately and cleanly. . .let's see if my wife understands my wish!
🤔😉☺️

Oh, thanks Chuck!
Everyone makes an effort in their own way, I love little details . . .
But as I like to say, again, small errors in thinking happen.
Finding a solution is more exciting than a 007 film! 🤣🤣🤣

As already written 3 steps forward, one step back . . . .

What is so valuable? Having a hobby and living it to the full.
When the wife and grandchildren get involved, it's a real pleasure for me as a grandad.
An old mate told me: if you do handicrafts, you won't have any silly thoughts in old age and you won't need a psychiatrist. He's 93 years old, by the way!
Stories that life writes!
Your „gruffty“ Michel-C. 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Ps:“Gruffty“ is the Swiss term for an older person, but my wife affectionately calls me „oldtimerchen“

Beautiful work on that wheel! My compliments to all parties involved in the design, construction as well painting! 😎

Ooops,
Another little problem . . .
Looking for a solution for an adjustable drive shaft.
Why did the predecessor have to glue everything . . .
☹️
Michel-C.

Ps: I would have a solution with a tie bar profile . .

wolle schönen Morgen
you still have time to do modelboat building whith the big day coming closer by the minute?😊

Great, I like it a lot. If your wife has time, the hull of my Britannia still needs to be painted. 😉
I think it's good that you complement each other so well.

So dear hobbyists,
I now have my rear wheel together. It is progressing step by step . . . I have my wife behind me, who wants to at least prepare the shell for the maiden voyage soon . .
I'm still missing a few laser parts, which I'll do tomorrow. My wife is still finishing a few repairs on the hull, painting various deck details, and ... and ...
I don't know what's got into her. But I'm really enjoying it myself! Roll up your shirt sleeves, just right in this fog!
But now to the CAD and preparing parts for the laser.
Bb Michel-C.

PS: It's so quiet in our apartment . . . I can even hear my wife's paintbrush applying the paint!!!

Here's another joke on my part:
***
If the man is silent, he is a thinker.
***
When the woman is silent, the thinker is in big trouble!
🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄

Oho!
Rivets look good . . . The next wheels are drying and waiting for their rivets . . .
We'll continue soon.
In Swiss German: „Chnübeliarbet“ (Annoyingly time-consuming detail work)
Bb Michel-C.

Hello everyone,
Whilst others are putting together ships in a short space of time, I'm working on small details that take up a lot of my time. . I would never have thought that this paddle steamer would require so much detail work. It's just when you pay attention to details,
Phew!
Bb Michel-C.

Grazie Alessandro,
As far as your question is concerned, instead of the familiar cross-flow control system, there are now cross-flow pumps.
As I had no way of retrofitting them to the finished hull, I had to find another solution.
The hull is so badly glued at the bow that I had to find something else, for better or worse.
Here is a diagram of the principle of my two pumps.
They are slightly offset to the rear to distribute the weight, as I want to install my two “Denes” steam generators at the front. And there is still space for the noise box at the very front.
I'm testing all the electrics and need some time to do this.
See you guys in a few days, let me work! 🤣🤣🤣🤣
(unless my wife wants something from me, so she has to paint me parts. So I can find a few hours to do handicrafts . .)🤣🤣🤣🤣
See you soon,
Michel-C.

Hi Mike, great progress.

Being able to laser cut independently for a ship modeler means having an ace up your sleeve. Anyway, very good because you have to be able to do it.

I saw the motor and the gear wheels for the movement of the paddle wheels (really a clean and well done job) and I remember that we talked about it at length. Please remind me what the other two motors I see in the photo are for.

Hello Roy, Hello all!
It wasn't a stray, but my friend's clever dog. The older they get, the stranger methods they develop, such as pushing the door latch down with their snout!
Now everything is clear, he caught him doing it at home.
Now for a brief explanation. . .
The rear wheel is coming, now it's time to paint and assemble it. . Between the glue drying times I work on other details in parallel .
In addition to the housework, I always find time to devote to the boat. My goal is the maiden voyage of the “Dolores” in the middle of the year
Keep your fingers crossed for me, thank you
Your Michel-C.

Hi all fascinating! Can't think why I missed seeing this thread from the start. The size is enormous I wonder what arrangements maybe in hand to protect the model from stray dogs?

Roy

Hello friends,
I have decided to make the whole paddle wheel out of wood. At the moment my laser is working at full speed, he has complained to me that he hates slave labour! He was allowed to sleep in today and now he's full of vigour cutting!
Most of the work was CAD drawing, but I'm making good progress.
With the 3D plastic we only had the option of working with normal plastic, as Chuck mentioned to me.
Well, the first parts look reasonable.
Then comes the gluing of two parts. Here I make sure that the grain of the wood is offset by 90 degrees to prevent warping.
Then comes the colour, then the protective coating. . .
Work for my painting department . .
Keep your fingers crossed that everything works out. I can't, otherwise I wouldn't be able to work!
Greetings Michel-C.

Yes, JumpUgly!

As mentioned above, it was actually a half-finished product from an estate and is sold by the Alexander Engel KG factory. I combed through many pictures, collected ideas, noted them down and drew them myself on CAD 14 (2D) to then create them with the laser cutter. The plans were only partly correct, the rest of the ideas came with the construction of my wife and me. (MCM-Home-Werft) Let us surprise you!
See you, Michel-C.

Look here:

https://engel-modellbau.eu/shop/Schiff/Heckraddampfer/CHAPERON-Mississippi-Heckr

Now THAT'S a project!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope to build a Mississippi River Boat some day. Love it!

Guys!
At the moment things are going well, despite the dogged gangway!
All parts of the wheelhouse bridge lasered, even the spare parts for the landing bridge. . .
Further parts are in the works, after that it's time to enjoy.
My painting department has work again!. . . But only after the holidays.
Now it's time for a break!
*********
Merry Christmas to all of you out there with your loved ones, enjoy some peace and quiet
before the turn of the year . . .
Your Michel-C.

Ps: I have repurposed my office desk 🤣🤣

Grrrrrrrrr . . .🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬
We had a visitor with a dog!
Michel-C. Minus one landing jetty !!!!
Ps: The evil wood-eating quadruped . .
I love him anyway, he is otherwise well behaved, but also has his quirks!
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Hello everyone!
Once again an interim report on the restoration of this Mississippi paddle steamer . . .
I have completely changed the lasered parts, respectively the railing. But to my horror I realised that the former builder made some mistakes. 🙈🙈🙈
The deck is slightly curved, which means I have to adjust the railing so that it can be glued properly. Small inner supports will provide additional support. . as I once said 3 steps forward, one step back, sometimes even 2!
That makes the whole thing exciting and you are never without work!
Your Michel-C.

Grüezi Zäme! (Good day together)
In addition to the paddle steamer, I also laser test parts for the construction of the harbour jetty. Here is a small harbour house . . .
The jetty material is slowly coming together, 50mm PVC pipes and an aluminium plate with side edges at the top as the basic element. Tests will follow soon . .
Let us surprise you.
Bb. Michel-C.

Hello all!
Slowly but surely things are progressing, the small details of drawing with CAD, lasering, editing and painting are timeconsuming, especially when new additional ideas come up!
Let's see how much progress we can make before Christmas. . .
Luckily, despite the cold weather, we can stretch our legs with a long walk in between . . .
See you later ,
Michel-C.
Ps: To bend certain wooden railing parts, I once again misappropriated something from my wife's kitchen. . Well, it was the jug for our milk frother . . Or a glue roller for smaller radii . . My wife thinks I'm her kitchen utensil thief! 🤣🤣🤣

Hello hobbyist,
Can't see the wood for the trees . . An old saying that happened to me. I forgot the sound block because of all the electronics!
This only happens when your wife puts the documents on the pile of documents when dusting. .
But my desk was clean . .😅😅😅😅
The solution is already in place and ready for assembly.
As always, 3 steps forward, one step back .
I have time, I'm retired!
Best regards, Michel-C.
See Photo 2
Oh there is still a lot of space!!!😊

Hello everyone,
And once again I realise that 3 D printer material must have been chosen! The parts have completely warped.
Now I'm going to make the whole paddle wheel in wood like the original.
Keep your fingers crossed for me . . Thank you! 👍👍😂😂
As I always say:
"If you give up, you can't fulfil your dream."
(I dedicate this saying to my soul mate HermanK) 😉
See you later with more information, yours
Michel-C.

Hi Mike, I think the result is excellent.

Hello friends!
Back from our hitchhiking trip a few days ago. I stalked lifeboat no. 2 straight away.
Here are some photos of what happened. Duration 2 days with breaks and recovery of the hiking holidays . . .
I wonder what you think about the result.
Now it's on to the hull and all the electrical installation and wiring . . .
🤞🤞🤞
In between, the grandparents can also do something with their grandchildren. We will also do some handicrafts, which I have already prepared. . .
See you soon, Michel-C.

PS: I have my tricks for bending wood. I used the old dining gong for the side walls.
Comment from my wife >>> 😮😮😮
Picture illusion, because the two lifeboats are the same length . . .

Hi shipfriends!
This doesn't really belong here, but my co-owner of the D&M shipyard noticed during the vacations that her eyesight was getting worse.
She has now been diagnosed with age-related wet macular degeneration.
The first treatment worked wonders, and more will follow! Despite her visual impairment, she continues to paint at full steam, I'm proud of her.
That's why I've decided to close the shipyard for another 2 weeks. She should relax, we will enjoy nature in the Tyrolean mountains and go on easy hikes
See you again, Michel-C.
PS: The new engine has finally arrived, I'm busy drawing and lasering it!

Hi Alessandro, Hello Hermank
Wait until the ship's staff have made up the beds and activated the hot water system for the bathrooms and showers in the rooms.
The river cruise accepts guests who are catered for in the deck saloon, and for the day guests there is the kiosk with its friendly operator.
By the way, I took the photo of the ticket seller myself and saw that similar photos are floating around on the Internet.
See you after the holidays, ciao
M & D 😎😎

Ps: Travel brochures are still with the graphic designer. 🤣🤣🤣

Michel c
Your Boat Looks fantastic when i See the accomodation on the top deck.
Does the Boat also have à Swimmingpool aboard?
I would like to make a reservation for à cabin- luxery- with en Suite bathroom. Where does the Cruise start so i can make the appropriate Travel Arrangements. Looking forward to more Details and Greet the Captain
Herman lifeboatlover

Happy break to the company "D & M Modellschiffwerft".

When it reopens its doors I will look for it on the internet to order some parts, I saw that it works very well and is very reliable, ahahahahahah.

The photo of the seller is beautiful and nice. But you sell a bit of everything I think?

"Especially gender-free toilet!" It is an ancient but very modern naval model.

However Mr. Mike and Mrs. Dolores, this model is not yet completed but it gives me a very pleasant feeling of comfort.

So dear friends,
From Wednesday our shipyard "D & M Modellschiffwerft" will close its doors for a few days.
In englisch: D & M model shipyards
Here are a few impressions of the test build before everything is painted and glued.
Especially gender-free WC!🤣🤣🤣 labelled: „pipi -kaka-land“ 🙈🙈

See you again soon!
Michel-C and my Dolores as an employees in the role of owner. 😉👍😊

Ps: Still waiting for delivery of the engine 🙃🙃🙃

The Wheel of time.


That’s a nice name 👍😎😎😎



Isaac

All our ship builds are in reality just fantasy builds, 😊

Hi Mike, thanks for this information. These details are very important and interesting to me. Excellent solutions. Your work, with the various problems you have faced and resolved, becomes useful for everyone.

Hi Alessandro,
I would be happy to give you the engine data briefly.
As I work with 12V and 6V, I decided to test both types.
With a 35 rpm gearbox made of steel and approx. 400 mNm, this should be sufficient, as the resistance is low due to the lubricated guide bushes made of MS
As I will be helping my grandson to build a similar boat later on, I have therefore snapped up a pair of motors each.
Certainly one of the same voltage as a replacement for me.
Enclosed are approximate details of the drive, experiment with a toothed belt in the engine block unit.
Greetings Michel-C.

Mike, we'll see the motor and gearbox when it arrives, but could you tell us something.
I'm curious to see the characteristics (voltage, power, number of turns, dimensions, etc. etc.) of the product you have chosen.

Good evening everyone,
Tomorrow we will be working again, my shipyard employee has promised to paint more details. I'm doing the wiring myself, from top to bottom.
The wheelhouse, 2nd and 1st upper decks are illuminated. Tomorrow the deck and all the electronics except for the drive unit will be installed and wired. A relay will be connected in between for all the lights, as we will be sailing around in the evening until it gets dark.
The motor and gearbox have already been dispatched. It's good to have friends in Germany. . . And also here on this homepage!

My best goodnight wishes to you all, 😴😴😴
Michel-C.

Ps: Before you ask about the blue light in the wheelhouse, it's the on-board computer with Windows 11.
A Fantasy ship or what shall I call it?

Thank you all for your tricks and tips!
Now I just have to find where I can order here in Switzerland. e.g. German companies no longer deliver to Switzerland, others charge unreasonable transport costs. .
As we are visiting friends in Frankfurt, I have passed on my wish to him. Let me be surprised!
At the moment, preparatory work is underway, such as adjusting and grinding laser parts, painting parts, finalising electronics, etc etc.
But who am I telling! You know how it is when you get stuck on a part and have to look for a replacement. . .
You certainly don't get bored.
Enjoy the weekend, yours
Michel-C.

Hi Mike,
as Alessandro wrote, the best is , when you can take a motor with an already integrated gearbox and proper DC engine . Mainly 12 DC , due to the usual battery voltage used in the model. It is necessary to choose a type of motor with an appropriately selected speed (150 - 200(300)rpm max.
By controlling the motor via ESC, you can simple choose the proper low rotation speed.
My model Lulonga quarterwheeler has paddle wheels with a diameter of 15 cm. When calculating how many revolutions the paddle wheel must have, you must of course take into account the diameter and number of paddles, as well as the size of the model. Against large paddle steamers, the wheels of the model have less efficiency, and this must also be taken into account. Therefore, the wheels on the models have a higher number of revolutions against large ships.

Hello Michel, I don't know if you can order from Amazon in Switzerland but here is what I used on both of my paddle boats. At $14.95 US it's a great deal! Good luck on your quest! 👍👍👍 RR

Hello Mike, I'm glad you're in good spirits and on the right track.

I take the thanks even though I honestly didn't do much.
But your problem intrigued me.
Having no experience on wheel-propelled steamers, I wondered how I would prepare the electrical part from the beginning.
First I would have asked myself what the number of revolutions of the paddle wheels is, to have optimal navigation.
Not having any reference I tried to imagine it in my mind.
Maybe a starting point is one revolution per second, that is, 60 revolutions per minute., I said to myself.
I imagined a wheel of that size and thought that if it completed one revolution in one second, it would be quite plausible.
I would then have done some practical tests and if it had been too fast or too slow I would have acted accordingly by changing the speed reducer.
Then I read the indications of River Rat which has 50 rpm and now I read an even lower value: 42 rpm.

But now let's get back to you. You will surely find the speed reducer that is right for you or the engine with the built-in reduction.
Consider that some have the reduction axis at 90 degrees with respect to the motor axis and this could help you more.

Once you have found the right one, I would take two (one as a spare) especially if you need to modify the wooden support.

I will follow developments with great interest.

Thank you modelling friends!
Thank you RR,
You are all awesome! In the meantime I have received an important detail from the manufacturer Engler (D) of the Chaperon: 42 Rpm has their drive which is no longer produced. 😳👎😖
So now the search in Switzerland begins . . Gogogo!
I'll let you know as soon as I've found something! Then I will have to adapt the bracket, which will again involve lasers.
Thanks again guys, you are super cool! 👍👍👍
Ciao Michel-C.

Ps: Dumas motor. . That's it! Thanks Peejay!

When I bought my (still to be built) Mt Washington kit from Dumas, they also have a motor drive available that has a gear reduction. You might check the Dumas webpage for more details.

Sorry River Rat, I didn't remember that you also made a model of a ship with paddle wheels.
I only remembered Tomarack because I exchanged many messages with him and he posted many diagrams and photos of this type of ship.
I saw the Queen Creole again, you did a great job.

Hello Michel, I used a gear reduction motor on my Creole Queen. Everything is built in to the motor itself they have them on the web that range from 15 rpm's up to 100. I use a 50 rpm motor on mine and have no problem. You can then do a 1:1 from the motor shaft to the paddle wheel driveshaft. Hope this helps. RR

Hi Mike, I hope Tomarack can help you, I sail in the dark.

In the meantime I'm thinking about it.
I'm saying something stupid, don't make fun of me:
Since the box needs to be completely replaced, if you know what the number of engine revolutions is and what the revolutions must be on the axis of the paddle wheels, you can look for a ready-made gear reducer that can be suitable for the dimensions you have ?
For example, I saw speed reducers (with metal gears) on Aliexpress. They are low cost so even failed attempts would not be a major loss.
I would get it smaller so that it fits easily between the wooden walls. I would also get some couplings to fit it to the motor shaft on one side and the sprocket pinion on the other side.
Or, more easily, you can take a motor with an already integrated gearbox and possibly modify the wooden structure.
There are many cheap ones but if you get a 12 to 24 volt one the price goes up.

Hi Alessandro,
Thanks for your Tip!
Despite rescue attempts, the planetary gearbox can no longer be repaired as I wrote to Tomarack.
Despite using special grease, I was unable to reduce the noise. But I have seen that he used motors with 150 rpm for his paddle steamer.
Waiting and drinking tea . . . 😉🙃
See you later, Michel-C.

Hi Mike, I've been looking at the gears.
I don't see any very obvious damage, perhaps the holes have widened a bit and there is more yoke but you can't see it.
In general I would prefer metal gears instead of plastic ones.
Is the problem just the noise or don't they turn at all?
The grease, it might be a good idea, should muffle the noise a little.

I'm sorry if I wasn't any help to you, I'll think about it again. In the meantime, however, the name of the modeller of this forum expert in paddle wheel ships came to mind: it's Tomarack.

😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫
Here is the noisy part!
The drive is designed so that it can be completely dismantled for repairs.
This also applies later to the paddle wheel and its drive.
Try using special grease from the coffee machine . .
Otherwise, completely reconsider. 🫢🥹😵‍💫
Next post coming as soon as success is in sight. 🤔
We read each other . . . .
Michel-C.

Had to steal the one photo, goes well with this "open question"! 😂😂😂

Great Mike, if you've found the right answers to marriage, it won't be broken gears that stop you, hahahahaha.

The solution to your transmission system problem (which I believe you will find on your own) will be useful to everyone, so keep us informed.

Now that I think about it, there was a ship modeler who is very specialized in wheel-powered boats.

Thank you Alessandro for your help!
I will take the so-called planetary gearbox completely apart again.
That is the real "noisemaker". I will take photos and then add them to this text.
My guess: The whole thing has become brittle due to age and some of the gears are now round gears! 🤣🤣🤣
Either I get rid of the noise or I will rethink the drive and design it differently. That's the spice of modelling, isn't it? I also have a "co-worker" who sometimes comes up with cool ideas using simple female logic.

My motto is the following:
There are no problems, just unanswered questions.
In my 45 years of marriage, this has worked extremely well right from the start!
See you later . .
Michel-C.

Hi Mike, it's very difficult for me to be able to help you because you have more experience than me and I have never mounted paddle wheels on my models, but I will try to help you anyway.
After all, I'm one of your followers hahahaha.

Sorry if I ask trivial questions, but first I would like to understand if you have narrowed down the problem.
From the photo it seems like a fairly simple system, however I can't understand what the problem could be just by looking at the photo.


Does the motor work?
It works but is it stuck?
It's not stuck but the sprockets are slipping?

First of all, in the total lack of experience, I would isolate the functioning of all the pieces by physically separating them and testing them individually.

I would test the motor alone, the gearbox alone and then just the two sprockets.

If you already know that the problem is in the gear box (gray box), then you need to open it and take photos. We need to see what happened inside it.

I'm waiting for more information and, perhaps, a short video.

If I can be of help to you I would be happy.

Guys, I need your help!
My gearbox has given up the ghost, as with us older people, sometimes a tooth flies out, so also with this intermediate gearbox . . Plastic rubbish.
Do any of you have experience with paddle wheel drives? Any tips would be appreciated . . .
Michel-C.
Ps: Had presented the unit 4 months ago

Hello everyone!
Railing lasering announced, other reinforcements, additional lifeboat etc. etc.
Was looking for a u-profile for my railing handrail . .
Really difficult, but Dr Zufall gave me an idea:
Never throw away an umbrella, take it apart! The cross struts are awesome . .
Any more questions? Looks good, doesn't it? Bending will probably be the
biggest challenge. . .
Hobbyist Greetings
Michel-C.

Ps: Never installed so many recycled parts before!

It's true Mike you're almost at the end, it's going great.
I'm curious to also see the electronic part and then finally a nice navigation video.

Evening everyone!
While the small parts are drying, I've got the electronics ready to continue working on the wiring. Slowly but surely I see light at the end of the tunnel . .
I also test the paddle wheel before it gets its colour . . One step at a time . .until something goes wrong again like yesterday. Then it's a step backwards, but I'm used to that with this model!
Good night and tomorrow is another day . . 😴😴😴
Michel-C.

Ps: Fortunately, the hull has enough space and this at 140cm.(55inch)

Hello all,
Yesterday I had 2 "left hands".
But apparently the predecessor had used the wrong glue. . .🙈
Now I will screw it together, which is advantageous for repairs.
Everything has its purpose and its advantages, doesn't it?
I am always amazed at the new construction sites that open up! 🫢🤔😂
Michel-C.

Ps: Before . . After. . 🙈🙈🙈

You did a great job, I really like the lifeboat.
Excellent.

Michel
It is still Saturday or are the hours passing by faster in Switzerland?😂😂😂😂

Hi everyone!
We used the time to paint during our somewhat miserable weather, my wife really wanted to paint the hull, I did the dinghy.
It's progressing slowly and I'm looking forward to installing the electronics.
A club colleague's 3D printer has produced my wall deck lamp, now it's time for my helper to do the finishing work.
Have a nice Sunday everyone,
Michel-C.

Hello everyone!
After the 2K coat, now the colour base coat. My wife, my painter, has everything under control! Now first a fine sanding and then 2 more coats of paint. If you ask me why matt black, you can find my answer here in the previous comments.
Then it's finally time to install the electronics! Yeah!
Best hobbyist greetings,
Michel-C.

Ps: If you don't have space, you take the space . . But always invite your wife to lunch first, then everything is possible without any problems! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Hi Alessandro, hi All!
I once received some plans from our group, but reworked them for the laser cutter. I had to correct some mistakes. . . well, thanks for the compliment.
Regarding colors, I asked for your tips, have searched in the meantime and found what I was looking for.
The color was black on the outside and light brown on the inside. I suspect that the color was also mixed with tar, as I got from the information of the connection with Nori from steamboats.com. But any ideas are welcome!
Thanks in advance and good night
Michel-C.

Meanwhile, congratulations Mike because you built this lifeboat completely by yourself, and it's not for everyone. Excellent.
I don't understand if you mean to leave it like this.
I would cover the wooden strips, very thin (0.5 mm) to cover the plywood.
I really like the shape you gave it.
Did you use an existing file or is it your own project?

Hey shipbuilder!
Paddle is the key word, now it's here, my lifeboat to the Mississippi sternwheeler!
I know it doesn't correspond to reality, but I love tinkering like this in between.
The hull is waiting for my painter boss . . .
It's coming along!
I am unsure about the colour scheme . .
Give me some tips! Thanks in advance
The indecisive Captain Haddock
Michel-C.
(Lifeboat Scale 1:32, 15cm)

Hello everyone!
My wife has been pestering me with good ideas, which I am drawing in CAD for the laser cutter while the hull dries.
This paddle steamer will be an illusion and fantasy steamer. With all the extra features . . the construction will take a long time, but I'm retired.
But travelling is still on the agenda . . .
Greetings
Michel-C.
Ps: Waiting to be painted

Hello everyone,
I had bent pipes about three months ago. But I realised that it was impossible to fit the pumps under the front deck.
I had to completely change the concept. . Installation will take place tomorrow evening.
Today the electronics are still being worked on.
As I said, 2 steps forward one step back!
Photo with plan version 2, version 3 looks slightly different, final use, i hope so! 😜😜
See you soon . .
Michel-C.

Hi Hermank, hi all,
Me again briefly . .
Hermank, if you look at my profile, you'll see that I registered in 2021, the time of the "epidemic". At that time I had dug out my old boats again. I still had 40 mhz transmitters there. My wife felt sorry for me when she saw these old boxes! . . . And my charm (French-speaking Switzerland) also contributed something.
Just a Christmas present . . Unfortunately there is no patent for such surprises, but when a man fulfils his wife's wishes . . .they never forget that.
🥹🥹🥹🥹
Michel-C.

Good evening all,
The electronics are slowly taking shape.
The rest is waiting for the test installation. But now it's time for a goodnight tea.
I'm closing my boatyard for this weekend.
Ciao together,
Michel-C.

MichelC
You must be something very spécial,with some incredible capacities to recieve such a gift from your wife!!!!!! Can you tell me your hidden capabilities please. I m shure a lot of people would also be interested on this forum!!!!
Enjoy your gift 😂😂😂

Ciao Mike

Nice little gem.

Good wife.

Sooner or later I want to use the other channels, even if I don't need them now.

I hope you will want to teach me.

Hello Mike
I also have the same remote control from Carson, 14 channels, 2.4 GHz, perfect. I am also very satisfied.

Ciao Alessandro,
It is a 14-channel system. (Carson Multi proLCD) For me it was the cheapest version. I am also very satisfied with the performance, handling and operation.
And . . . . Yes, it was a present from my wife, plus lots of servos and electronic switches.
What more could you want?
I travelled with my model sailing boat for about an hour and enjoyed the tranquillity of the mountain lake. The batteries still had enough power. But at some point the grandchildren wanted to grill their sausages. . 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
>>>>>> Grandpa, we need a fire! 🥹🥹🥹
Bb Michel-C.

Hello Mike.
But how many channels does that receiver have?
12?
I can't wait to see how you use it.
I still have to go beyond the fourth channel because I haven't had the chance yet, but I'd like to.

Guten Abend zusammen, 😊
Before I continue building, the electronics must be completely pre-installed.
Only then will I coat the entire fuselage with EK again and paint or spray it.
Then it will slowly be time to improve details on the superstructure. As the assembly was not optimally glued. . . Three steps forward, one step back! What's the point?
Good Night, Your Michel-C.
PS : It looks like chaos, to me it's an organised mess.
One touch and the search begins! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

MIKE,MICHEL a good morning,bonne journée, guten Tag
you seem to 😊 be a very social driven individual, giving your shipbuilding staff off for the weekend. Definitely they will work twice as hard on monday when they come back from a skiing weekend in the swiss mountains.

Hello everyone,
I closed my shipyard over the weekend and gave my employee time off!
Enjoy your weekend! 👍👍👍🤣🤣🤣
Greetings from icy cold Switzerland,
Michel-C.

ps: Weekend for our Friends, children and grandchildren, now i can amortisiert my dentist bill with a lot of talking.

Me again,
At the request of my subcontractor (my wife), here are two installation aids for the applied blinds.
If it helps me like this, I also have to respond to such requests. Not to mention the personal private . . . 😍🥰🤣🤣🤣🤣
A pleasant help for 35 different blinds.
Bb Michel-C.

Good morning everyone,
The snow has now arrived. Now it's time to get warm at home and get crafting. Here's another new challenge with the cross-flow rudder pumps. The bracket is designed so that a defective pump can be replaced without great effort.
An original pump like this was not possible because the previous owner completely glued the bow. More information will follow.
Your Michel-C.
Ps: a laser cutter is simply cool

What a weather!
Today we first take the bus a few villages further on. A short hike with a coffee stop somewhere. But I couldn't resist solving my problem for a few minutes. . .
The predecessor did some inaccurate work, well . . .
As you can see, one side is 2mm higher than the other. Right 90 mm, left 92 mm.
Oops, now I have to cover this up somehow. . Mmmh, become a mm cheat! 🫢🫢🫢
And on the upper deck the corresponding adjustment, called „reworking“.
So long, Michel-C.

Michel C bonjour, a good afternoon
i like the article in the nespaper underneath your buildingconstructions 😀
bien fait, bien peint.
well finished.👍👍👍

Hello friends,
Now we're going forwards, not two steps forwards and one step back! This time it was five steps . . See for yourself. My favourite supplier has her hands full.
I've designed a stove for the captain and a control panel for his driver's cab.
The seat will follow. There are also some unfinished parts pre-assembled for testing, some of which will first go to my wife Doris' private paint shop.
I'm starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel! 👍👍😊😊😊
Yours Michel-C.

Hello,
Piece by piece of the puzzle goes into the "assembly“-line, just like cars . . .
Here is the finished drive, only the original axle with the end pieces and the external levers are still missing. These are offset by 90 degrees to each other.
Bb Michel-C.

Hello Mike.

Excellent work, very good.

I'm glad you got this result.

Man oh man!
Now the fuselage is straight again, or rather in alignment. I dared to attach 3 ribs at the bottom.
👍👍 The fuselage is still 👌👌👍👍👍
We'll continue tomorrow . . with setting the rudder guide tubes. 😅😅😅
BB, Michel-C.
Ps: My bank factory has now created 2nd class seats. All their idea! 😍🥰

Hey Hermank,
it's not a problem, it's an observation
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Have a nice day!!
Bb Michel-C.

Michel C à good Morning
I do Not See your Problem…..
You are still à Young men whatever the Number of boats you want to give an overhaul! You have the years on your side. Don‘t Male it bigger as it is. 😂😂😂😂